Apparatus for assembling tubular binders with loose-leaf books



Dec. 29, 1953 A. FREUNDLICH APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLI BINDERS WITH LOOSE 2,663,883 NG TUBULAR -LEAF BOOKS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 29, 1952.

INVEN TOR. ALBERT FREUNDLICH ATTORNEY Dec. 29, 1953 A. FREUNDLICH 2,563,883

APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING TUBULAR BINDER-S WITH LOOSE-LEAF BQOKS Filed Sept. 29, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 74 A INVENTOR.

ALBERT FREUNDLICH ATTORNEY Dec. 29, 1953 EMBLING TUBULAR A. FREUNDLICH 2,663,883- APPARATUS FOR ASS BINDERS WITH LOOSE-LEAF BOOKS Filed Sept. 29, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 3- I //8- 2 I25 m //4 I36 F/E, [6 T 94, 4 INVENTOR.

95 ALBERT FREUNDLICH m BY F 9/ T I 5 20 R EL/ /7) ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 29, 1953 APPARATUS FOR AS BINDERS WITH L 11 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for assembling tubular binders with loose leaf books. Devices for assembling loose leaf books or leaves with tubular binders formed with resilient fingers, have been known, but such devices as heretofore constructed are fairly complicated and required skillful manipulation.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a device of the character described, which shall be extremely simple in construction, very easy to manipulate, and which shall be sure and positive.

Aiurther object of this invention is to provide a device of the character described including means to open up the fingers of a tubular binder by slidably moving the tubular binder on the device which opens it up, then inserting the slotted end of a book into the binder which has its fingers spread open and pushing the binder off the device so that the fingers snap onto the book adjacent'the slots or in the slots.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a device of the character described, comprising a member having top and bottom spaced plates between which the slotted end of a book may be inserted, a tapered member at one end of the device so that a tubular binder may be slidably mounted at the rear ends of the plates to open up the fingers of the binder, and means to align the tube with respect to said device so as to locate the fingers with respect to the slots in the book inserted between the plates, the construetlon being such that the book may be pushed through the space between the plates to push the binder ofi the plates so that the fingers snap onto the book inwardly or" the slots and whereby the book with the binder snapped thereon may then be moved in an opposite direction .so that one 01. both of the plates will push the fingers into the slots to permit the fingers to snap through the slots.

Still another object of this invention is to. provide a device of the character described, which may be adjustable for angle "and in which the distance between the two plates may be adjusted to accommodate the loose leaf books of various thicknesses.

'Yet another object of this invention isto pro-' vide a device of the character described, comprising a clamp pressing a pair of plates adapted to be clamped against opposite sides of a book adjacent the slotted end thereof and further including means to spread apart the fingers of a tubular binder fsiidably moved onto said plates for alignmg the fingers with the slots of the book and SEMBLING TUBULAR DOSE-LEAF BOOKS Albert Freundlich, New York, N. Y. Applicationseptember 29, 1952, Serial No. 312,015

2 whereby said book and clamp may be separated and the fingers snapped into the slots of the book aligned therewith.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a device of the character described which shall be adjustable to exact thickness of the book to be bound so that the binding element is stretched only as much as is necessary unto the thickness of the book. With other assembling methods or apparatus, the binding elements are opened up much more than is necessary at the expense of the elasticity of the binding element.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a device of thecharacter described comprising a pair of guide plates between which the loose leaf book to be bound inserted. These plates act as guides to hold the sheets down and to smoothen the sheets if they are wavy.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a device of the character described, provided with two leads at opposite ends and two stoppers so that the binding elements may :be mounted on the device from either end or from. both ends for dual binding.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a device of the character described, which can be placed in horizontal, vertical or any other position desired, and which lends itself .to' automatic feed of the binding elements and also to the automatic feed of the books to be bound.

' Yet another object of this invention is to provide a device of the charaoterdescribed, which is so constructed that as the. book comes out it may drop into a receptacle or onto aconveyor for shipping or packing, the construction being such, furthermore, that the .sheets .can be jogged against the binder and against the sides of the guides for assembling the book.

Yet another object .of this invention is to provide a device of the character described, which lends itself to fast operation since the binding is done as you take the book out of the device.

Yet a further object of this invention is toprovide a device of the character described, having split lead blades or pins, one part being on'the upper plate and the other part on the lower plate, so that as the plates are adjusted-the split parts of the blade or pin are also adjusted to accommodate all sizes of books.

Still a, further object of this invention is to provide in a device of the character described. a pair of parallel ridges on the top and bottom plates to accommodate binders of different sizes which are used for dilferent size books.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a device of the character described, which is so constructed that a tubular binder may be slipped thereon with the fingers of the binder either at the top or at the bottom so as to make it unnecessary for the operator to be careful to bring the fingers to the top or bottom before mounting the binder on the device. The device embodying the invention, furthermore, can be usedwithrings as well as with binders.

Other objects of this invention will in part be in obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations or elements, and arrangement of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope of invention will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings in which is shown various illustrative embodiments of this invention:

Fig. 1 is a top' plan view of the device embodying the invention and showing a tube partially pushed onto the spreading portion of the device; Fig. 2 is a rear end view of the device shown in vFig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but showing the binder tube fully mounted on said device;

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but showing the book pushed through between the plates so that the binder snaps thereon;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 and showing the book pulled in an opposite direction and causing the fingers of the binder to snap into the slots of the loose leaf book;

Fig. '1 is a transverse sectional view of the device shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a side elevational view of the device embodying the invention and illustrating a modi fled construction of the device;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 and illustrating another modification;

Fig. 10 is a top plan view of the device embodying the invention and illustrating yet another modification and showing a binder tube partially mounted on said device and book;

Fig. 11 is an end elevational view of the device shown in Fig. 10; v

Fig. 12 is a cross sectional view taken on the line l2--i2 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 12 but showing the book pushed through the device of Fig. 10 so that the binder snaps thereon;

Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 13 but showing the fingers of the binders passing through the slots in the loose leaf book; I

Fig. 15 is a top plan view of a device embodying the invention and illustrating another modified construction;

Fig. 16 is a rear elevational view of the device shown in Fig, 15;

' Fig. 17 is a view similar to Fig. 16 but showing a binding element and a loose leaf book on the device; 7

Fig. 18 is one end view of the device in a plane l8-l8 of Fig. 16;

Fig. 19 is an opposite end view of the device taken on plane Iii-49 of Fig. 16; and

Fig. 20 is a cross sectional view taken on line 2-3-20 of Fig; 17.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, It designates an apparatus embodying the invention. The same comprises a flat base I l to which there is attached an upstanding stanchion i2.

Fixed to the top of stanchion i2 is a horizontal supporting plate 43. Attached to the supporting plate [3 is a flat metal bottom guide plate Hi of substantially rectangular shape. Said plate It has a front edge It and a rear edge 16 and end edges 11. Adjacent the rear edge is is a downwardly curved elongated rib I8, for the purpose hereinafter appearing. Mounted on the plate l4 inwardly of the ends thereof are a pair of transverse or cross bars 19. The cross bars is have upwardly and forwardly inclined forward edges 20. Supported on cross bars i5 is a top metal guide plate 21 having a front edge 22 and a rear edge 23. The rear edge 23 is substantially aligned above the rear edge it of plate 14. Said late 2! is formed adjacent the rear edge 23 with upwardly curved longitudinal rib 24 opposed to the rib I8.

It will be noted that between the plates 14 and ii and between the bars 58 is an elongated space or through channel 25 which becomes smaller in height from front to rear. Attached to the top of plate 2! is a reinforcing plate 26.

It will be noted that the plates i l and 2! extend outwardly beyond one of the bars is as shown at the right side of Fig. 1.

Fixed between extending portions of the plates l4 and 2| is a lead pin 38 which projects beyond said plates. Pin 39 comprises a tapered tip 31 from which extends cylindrical portion 32. Extending from the cylindrical portion 32 is another tapered pcrtion 33, and extending there from is a cylindrical portion 34. Extending from cylindrical portion 36 is a flat portion 35 received between the plates M and 21 and fixed thereto in any suitable manner. The pin 3i} is located adjacent the rear edges of the plates is and 2!.

The purpose of this apparatus is to assemble a tubular binder 36 with loose leaf book 3?. The loose leaf book 37 may comprise loose leaves 38 and covers 39. Said loose leaves and covers are formed with longitudinally spaced slots ll. The tube 36 may be made of resilient synthetic plastic material and comprises generally a backbone portion 32 from one or both sides of which extend spaced resilient fingers $4. The tube 35 may be slipped onto the pin 38. As the tube is pushed to the left, the tapered portion 33 expands the fingers so that the free ends of the fingers will contact the top of plate 2i forwardly of the rib 24 as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawing. The opposite edge 45 of the backbone it engages the underside of the plate 24 also forwardly of its rib It.

As the tube 3 3 is pushed onto the pin, it will engage the plates and the ribs it and 28 will guide the tube. The tube is pushed until it is fully on the plates. Attached to the opposite end of the lower plate 2: as by a screw it, is an adjustable stop member 39. .top inernber ifl may be formed with a longitudinal slot 5%) through which the screw passes so thatthe position of the stop member may be adjusted longitudinally. When the left end of the tube 35 strikes the right end of the stop member 45-3, the tube 3% is positioned. The tube must be positioned relative to the apparatus so that the fingers it thereon will be aligned with the slots ti in the backbone 31.

After the tube is fully fitted onto the plates as shown in Fig. 4, the book 3? is inserted into the channel or passage 25 with the left end of the book (looking at Fig. 3.) contact the bar it. The book is then pushed in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 4 to the position shown in Fig. 5. The book 3? contacts the inside of i and thr u h the s at as We a th .free edge wil .sntaet th rear eases th pla es L and t e .iieeers m Th piishedisaet re ative ..9 the 1 99i; Jami h finger are a gned w th th slots M, at wh sh the fing r wil snap and t e h nde e e o e The enti eibpqk ma :be em t r arwa d'l f m the .shani i :IZJ Ils pnshins th vbook through th c annelnan eras ea s a en e e or inie a eeeetaslei Fig there is sh ars a paratus its en bpd ns h i ention im la o th ap aratus 1 except t n tead of t han e far in mem 'b ns .meiin ed sin a fi ed ba e, th are attached to glatem '61:, pivotally mounted at 1 on a sup r n P a e 1 .2 ?Plaf 'es it are d u t t any suitable a gle operator may work with the channel in any dee sired angular position.

In F g- 9 the h nel te rains ppa aiiisi i is attached to the front edge of a table 63 so t t t -book 'i "ma ipu t d dewn a dl in teed of in a horizonta'l direction as in Fig. 1

In F g 1 J 1. t ere s ,s wn a appa t 100 embodying the invention and illustrat ng 4 other modified construction. Apparatus lac comprises a spring clamp 1,9. The spring clarnpcomprises a part tubular spring member "1 I made of spring steel and termed with slots 12 thrp gh which extend handles 13 onplates FM contacting the longitudinal edges-15 ofmember li. Attached to the inner sides of plates '1; :plates 16 in creasing in thickness toward their outer ends.

Attached to the insides of the plates l5 and adjacent one end thereof are a pair of metal plates '1'! and "'18 adapted to be pressed together normally. The plates iii 18 are riveted tothe plates jlfi and 14 by means of rivets 319. plates H, 78 extend beyond one end of thespring clamp. Extending from the plate 3*? is an extension at having a bent back portion ti form.- ing an angle therewith. Extending from plate It? is an extension -32 which terminates short oi the bent back portipn -8l. Adjacent their outer edges plates '12, i6 are formed with opposed utwardl-y curved ribs fit. Upon pressing the handles 13 together the plates :1 and l8 sepa rate. {The clamp may thus "be opened up to receive the loose llea-f bbfik *31-io11med with slots 'lfhe edge of the boot; which jh-ELS the slots is dj c n h e s 9. he p es i, f Wh sh a e th i s 6.- e sid d e i o he l a e le esk con a t the "b t em 9 e par tubul r me iith n w rea e tn... slipped onto the tapered lead end 8;, a! and ha s 9 t e fr e finge i and slide over the-plates I? inwardly of its ri' The edge of the backbone engages the oppo. plate 18 likewise inwardly of its rib is ube 3. ma he s ipp d a t-9 th bea .3? so that the fingers 34 are aligned with all slots L he h el: .3 ma the be u h thr ugh Ines; th nos tiqn e .2 ts th p sitien c Fie- 13 causing the tube 35 to slip off the its. flhe fin e s 4.4 ma then e das e int t sla 4;! m nually,

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termed at its sinner .side a thireeegna lter t am Ik iQh Jill resettin th red L115,- Each step .memblerma helixed t ,IZQQ 1.9.5 by ti hten" i thumb s rew hi e' lhus each stop member 1.!" ma b .slidaloiy m ed ton th red .1835 and fixed in desir d nsiti dinall listed 995iii Mem ers .Iilf extend .nea wardly and 11pwe d e t a po n beneath the rea ed e ,93 hi the-bottom plat .fltior he P11119956 h reinafter .enpesr nst will e n ted that ethside .mem-

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E sie J I? has a ea dg 11. which i eoejx ensive with ea edge 9. Q pla e, 5 Th pla e H2 i iqrmed nea it edge wi h a pa r pwardly extendin 'i pnsit di aily e tending ridge .1114, d spo e ab ve. a d de os to ridges ing through the opening m2 is a s ank'i-ls of a thumb screw having a thumb head 12 0 at its outer-end; 'I he inner end of the shank d it is threaded as at 1'2 I. It will be noted that byscrewing the thumbscrew M9, I i-n onezdirection, the hints L5 w l 53 ti htened against .cne .side of grooms ML iipqn'looseninglsaid screw, athenpper gp'de gitember it til may be rotated about the axis 9i shank 1 .-9.-

liar 11:6 teen-taste anppposite outer edge of member 94. said member 18.! is formed with be rotated about the axis of said thumb screws.

When said thumb screws are tightened, the upper guide member is fixed in place in desired angular position relative to the lower guide plate.

Attached to the outer ends and adjacent the rear edge of the upper plate H4 are a pair of lead pins or blades I25 complementary to the lead pins I03. Thuspins I03 together with pins I28 form lead pins for pushing onto the device a tubular binder 36.

It will now be understood that by properly adjusting the thumb screws the space between the upper and bottom guide members may be adjusted to accommodate loose leaf books I30 of different sizes. The tubular binder may be fitted onto the guide plate from either end andv will contact the stop members I01. The fingers of the tubular binder may be either at the top or bottom. Two sets of longitudinal ribs 98, H4 are provided to accommodate binders of different sizes. Thus the device is adjustable to the exact thickness of a loose leaf book.

The binding element is stretched only as much as is necessary up to the thickness of the book. With previous devices the binding element is stretched much more than necessary at the expense of the elasticity of the binder element. If the book has wavysheets the two guide plates between which the book is passed serves to hold the sheets down and smooths the sheets. With the present construction there are two leads and two stops so as to provide for dual binding. The device can be adjusted to horizontal, vertical or any other angular position to accommodate the operator by controlling the bolts 92. The device lends itself to easy automatic feed of the binding elements. Thus any suitable automatic feed means maybe provided for slipping the binder elements onto the device. Also, the device lends itself to automatic feed of the books because it is so simple to feed the books. The books simply go in between the plates from one side and out through the other. As the book comes out, it may drop into any receptacle or conveyor for shipping or packing. The sheets in fact may be jogged against the backbone of the binding element and against the stop members for assembling the book. 7

Rings as well as binding elements may be assembled with books with the device embodying my invention.

It will be understood that if the holesor slots in the loose sleeves are punched in the right place, the fingers can snap right into these holes or slots so as to make it unnecessary to put back the book in order to get the fingers to snap into said holes or slots.

It will thus be seen that there is provided a device in which the several objects of this invention are achieved and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

vAs various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth. it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, 1 claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent:

1. Apparatus of the character described, com prising a pair of opposed spaced guide plates forming a channel therebetween into which a loose leaf book with slots may be introduced, said plates having longitudinal opposed ribs, and means at one end of the plates to spread open the fingers of a tubular binder slipped onto said plates, so that the fingers are aligned with the slots in the loose leaf book whereby the book may be pushed against the inside of the backbone of the tubular binder and through the channelto push the tubular binder ofi said plates.

2. In combination, a channel forming member comprising top and bottom plates having aligned rear edges, said plates being formed with opposed longitudinal opposite extending ribs adjacent their rear edges, tapered lead means ad jacent one end of said member and adjacent the rear edges of said plates, to spread open a tubular binder slipped longitudinally on said tapered means and onto said plates, whereby the binder may be pushed onto the plates so as to align the fingers thereof with the slots of loose leaf book introduced into said channel.

3. The combination of claim 2, and means to limit the movement of the tube on said plates.

4; The combination of claim 2, and means to support said plates for adjustment one relative to the other.

5. The combination of claim 2, .said plates being disposed at an angle to one another to form a tapered channel;

6. The combination of claim 5, a fixed support, and means to mount said plates for angular adjustment relative to said fixed support. 1

.7. A device for assembling loose leaf books with binding elements comprising a pair of parallel guide members forming a space between them into which the book may be inserted, means to attach said elements in various angular positions relative one to another, and lead means on at least one end of the guide members onto which a binding element may be slipped.

8. A device for assembling loose leaf books with binding elements comprising a pair of parallel guide members forming a space between them into which the book may be inserted, means to attach said elements in various angular positions relative one to another, and lead means on at least one end of the guide members onto which a binding element may be slipped, and a stop member mounted for longitudinal movement relative to one or the guide members, and means for fixing the stop member in longitudinally adjusted position.-

9. A base, a lower guide member attached to the base for rotary. movement, means for attaching said lower guide member to the base in adjusted angular position, a top guide element mounted on the bottom guide element for angular movement, means for fixing the upper guide element to the lower guide element in angular adjusted position, said guide element forming a slot or channel therebetween through which a loose leaf book may be passed and complementary lead means on said guide elements onto which a tubular binding element for a loose leaf book maybe slipped, said lead means having means for opening up the binder as it is slipped in.

10. A base, a lower guide member attached to the base for rotary movement, means for attaching said lower guide member to the base in adjusted angular position, a top guide element mounted on the bottom guide element for angular movement, means for fixing the upper guide element to the lower guide element in angular adjusted position, said guide elements forming a slot or channel therebetween through which a loose leaf book may be passed and complementary lead means on said guide elements onto which a tubular binding element for a loose leaf book may be slipped, said lead means having means for opening up the binder as it is slipped in, and a stop member longitudinally mounted on the lower guide element to act as a stop for the binding element.

11. A base, a lower guide member attached to the base for rotary movement, means for attaching said lower guide member to the base in adjusted angular position, a top guide element mounted on the bottom guide element for angular movement, means for fixing the upper 10 guide element to the lower guide element in angular adjusted position, said guide elements forming a slot or channel therebetween through which a loose leaf book may be passed and complementary lead means on said guide elements onto which a tubular binding element for a loose leaf book may be slipped, said lead means having means for opening up the binder as it is slipped in, a stop member longitudinally mounted on the lower guide element to act as a stop for the binding element, and longitudinal ribs on said top and bottom guide elements to engage portions of the binding element.

ALBERT FREUNDLICH.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Emmer Dec. 3, 19 42 Emmer Mar. 4, 1941- 

